Asa drew alongside.
“Dick,” he said, and the other boy noticed how his voice trembled.
“Yes, what is it, Asa?”
“I’ve been waiting to catch you alone, because I’ve got something to say to you that I wouldn’t like anybody else to hear, especially Mr. Holwell.”
Dick felt the chilly sensation again; but he looked up smilingly.
“All right, Asa,” he said, cheerily, “here’s your chance to tell me what’s bothering you. If I can do anything to make you feel easier just make up your mind I want to help you. Now, what’s gone wrong?”
Asa’s eyes were growing wet, and evidently he labored under great emotion.
“It’s just this, Dick,” he said, weakly, “I never should have dared come along with a bunch of decent fellows like your crowd. I ought to have known I just couldn’t keep from falling back into my old ways, that have got such a terrible grip on me. And Dick, there’s only one thing to be done—send me home right away!”
CHAPTER XVII
DICK’S PROMISE
Dick could hardly believe his own ears when he heard Asa make this terrible confession. He gripped the other boy by the shoulder almost fiercely.